Page 100 - Southern Oregon Magazine Fall 2018

welcome home | build

For all his customers, Miller notes, it’s not just a housing decision, it’s a lifestyle HOPE
change, one that he feels uniquely qualified to facilitate both as an architect, a
designer, and as a natural living enthusiast. “It’s about healthy and affordable and
appropriate living, not living beyond your means.” For first-time homeowners,
adds Moroni, “You’re not really downsizing. You’re just living. We love to hear it VILLAGE
feels bigger than it looks.”

housing big dreams
While the state decides where tiny homes fit as longer-term housing, both Miller and
Moroni still meet the high building codes they’ve always followed, using licensed contrac- in small spaces
tors for the various systems in each tiny home, and knowing their customers can have
complete confidence in their tiny homes.
Tiny homes are giving the homeless new hope
Whether for a second home or vacation home setting, or as a possible alternate hous- in Southern Oregon through Hope Village, a
ing option, tiny homes offer big return for compact living. “Check them out,” encourages gated community of fourteen tiny houses in
Moroni. “Explore the option.” Medford that provide transitional housing and
community support to those that have found
themselves homeless.
Southern Oregon Tiny Homes
6463 Crater Lake Hwy, Central Point The reasons for homelessness vary widely,
541-621-5387 points out Chad McComas, Executive
www.sotinyhomes.com Director of Rogue Retreat, a local non-profit
that sponsors Hope Village and provides case
Oregon Cottage Company management to its residents. From seniors
831 Snell St., Eugene on fixed incomes that lose their housing, to
541-731-7009 traumatic events or loss of family support,
www.oregoncottagecompany.net “Something happens and you lose it all,” he
reminds. Including hope.

Hope Village opened to its first resident in
October 2017. The tiny homes are not deluxe,
McComas points out, but they provide a roof
overhead and a place of safety for the residents
that share community kitchen and garden, and
maintain responsibilities around the grounds.
Of their residents, he adds, “I think almost
all of them are working [or in school]. That’s
exciting to me.”

Despite some initial objections to the project,
McComas is excited about the success they’ve
had in their first year. “It looks nice. It’s well
maintained. It’s quiet. It’s everything we said it
would be,” he says. “It’s working.”

Working so well, in fact, that in July 2018
the City of Medford approved the expansion
of Home Village by sixteen more tiny homes.
Rogue Retreat is currently fundraising to
complete those homes as quickly as possible.

Rogue Retreat
711 E. Main St. #25, Medford
541-499-0880
www.rogueretreat.org/hope-village

98 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | fall 2018